Apple Pushes Out Mapping Executive

By

Jessica E. Lessin

Nov. 27, 2012 4:47 p.m. ET

Apple
Inc.
pushed out an executive responsible for its mapping service about two weeks ago, according to people briefed on the matter, as the company tries to recover from the map service's rocky debut.

Apple pushed out vice president Richard Williamson for its mapping service about two weeks ago, according to people briefed on the matter, as the company tries to recover from the map service's rocky debut. Arik Hesseldahl reports. Photo: AP Images.

The vice president, Richard Williamson, had been a senior leader with Apple's iOS mobile software team. During his tenure, he oversaw a variety of services, including at one point Apple's voice-activated assistant Siri.

Mr. Williamson's boss, iPhone software chief
Scott Forstall,
was pushed out of Apple in October, also on the heels of the maps imbroglio.

Apple released its new maps application as part of its latest iOS 6 mobile operating system in September. Criticism poured in world-wide as users of the new Apple maps found misplaced location markers and bizarre satellite images. Apple Chief Executive
Tim Cook
later apologized for the frustration the maps software had caused.

Mr. Williamson couldn't be reached for comment.

Bloomberg earlier reported that Mr. Williamson was pushed out of the company.

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